Button-hole attachment for sewing-machines



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G. M. MORRIS & J. P. HALLBNBEOK. V BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES.

No. 252,052. FIG Patented Jan, 1100,1882. 3 4 3 I \mnuun linnm WITNESSES: -INVEN'T'UR5:

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G. M. MORRIS & J P. HV'ALLENBEGK. BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT BOB SEWING MACHINES,

0. 252,052. Patented Jan: 10, 18

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. MORRIS, oroonons, AND JOSEPH P. HALLENBEGK, on NEW YoRmAssIoNoRs, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE NATIONAL MACHINE COMPANY, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

BUTTON-HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWlNG-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 252,052, dated January 10, 1882.

Application filedJuly 30, 187i).

10 all whom, it may concern Be it known that we, GEORGE M. MORRIS, of the city of (Johoes, in the county of Albany and State of New York, and JOSEPH P. HALLEN- 5 BECK, of the city, county, and State of New York, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-Hole Attachments for Sewing-Machines. of which the following is a specification, reference being had I to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in button-hole attachments for sewing-machines, by which the fabric having the-button-hole therein is moved by a feed-foot or work-clamp i longitudinally and transversely, so as to thereby present to the needle the wholeedge of the button-hole upon the work-plate of a sewingm aehine having its usual presser-foot and feeding device removed; and this invention is in some respects an improvement upon the buti i ton-hole attachment described in ourspe'citication of United States Patent No. 203,287, dated May 7, 1878. rIii the attachment described in that patent the clothelamp was carried by a feed-bar which was moved to and fro in ways to space the over-edge stitches by means ofa pitman and crank-wheel which was revolved step by step by a reciprocating driving-pawl acting on a ratchet-wheel of elliptic form, or

of different diameters in different parts, so as to give to the crank-wheel different lengthsof steps in difierent partsof its rotation to equalize the lengths ofthe steps imparted to the feed-bar bythe crank-wheel and pitman. To

3 5 produce a superior device for that purpose is the object of onepart of this invention, which object we attain by the combination, with the movable feed-bar, crank-wheel, and pilman or its equivalent for connecting the feed-bar with the crank-wheel, ofa second wheel geared with.

the crank-wheel and proportioned so as torevol ve just twice to the crank-wheels once, and

a driving wheel or shaft eccentric to said sec- 0nd wheel and engaged therewith by a self- 4 5 shifting crank-connection, so that the rotation of the said driving wheel or shaft by steps of uniform length shall rotate the said crankwheel by steps of gradually-increasin g length through one qnarter of its revolution and of grad ually-deereasing lengths through the next quarter, and so on repeatedly,and thereby cause the crank-wheeland pitman or its equivalent 7 to move the feed-bar to and fro by steps of approximately equal lengths from one end to the other of such movements, and thus properly space the stitches,

Other parts of our in vention relate to certain improved devices and combinations of parts for revolving the aforesaid driving wheel or shaft and operating the feed-bar, and for causing the movements ofthe latter to conform to the periphery of a button-hole, and for render ing the feed-foot capable of better holding and moving to and fro-upon the needle-plate of a sewing-machine button-hole work or fabrics of greatly-different thicknesses, and of various thicknesses at opposite ends and sides of the same button-hole.

In the aforesaid drawings, in which similar parts aremarked by like letters in the difl'ercut figures, Figure 1 is a plan of ase'wing-machine attachment which embodies this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan'of the under side ofa portion of the same above a horizontal section at theline z z in Fig. 9. Fig. 3 is a plan of a modified part of the same, Fig. 4, a vertical section thereof at the line y g ,Fig. 3; and Fig. 5, a section of the same at the line 2 5y, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 represents on an enlarged scale a button-hole having an eyelet-shaped end and surrounded by a row of over-edge stitches, which are arranged in about the same parallel directionsall around the button-hole as they are made by this attachment, in combination with a common sewing-machine without its usual presser-foot and work-feedin g device. Fig. 7 is a plan of the under side of a portion of the attachment shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a vertical section and elevation of the same at the line or m in Figs. 1, 7, 9, and 10. Fig.8 is a sec, 0 tion and elevation at the line to w in Figs. 1, 7, and S. Fig. 10 is a section and elevation at the line '0 o in Figs. 1,7, and 8. Fig. 11 is a section of a part at the line a u in 1. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the work-feeding device, partly in section, showing its upper memher in full lines pressing on the work which rests upon a part of the work-so pportin g plate ofa sewing-machine, and in dotted lines'elevated from the work-plate. Fig. 13 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the same feeding device, with its upper member depressed upon the work; and Fig. 14, a front view of the same, showing the feed-foot elevati d. Fig. 15

is a side view, and Fig. 16 an end view, of the journal which supports the depressing-cam that acts upon the upper member of the workfeeding device, and has an eccentric supporting-stem.

A is a bed-plate, which supports theother parts, and is to be secured by any suitable means to the frame or bed-plate of a sewingmachine so that the feed-foot B can bear properly upon the work-plate Z of the machine. Foot B is mounted upon the feed-bar O, which is formed to slide to and fro parallel to the lengthwise direction of the opening through the part B, in or upon a guide-plate, D; and the feed-bar is connected by a pitman, E, to a crank-pin, a, radially adjustable on the rotary crank-wheel F, so that by the rotation of the latter step by step the feed-bar will be moved step by step to and fro a distance regulated by the distance of the crank-pin from the center of the crankwheel, substantially as described in the aforesaid patent No. 203,287.

In carrying out our present invention any suitable known equivalent for the pitman E can be used for imparting to-and-fro movements to the feed-bar from the crank-wheel.

G isaplate which is connected with the guideplate D, and supported by ways I) b on the baseA,so as to be movable to and fro and give reciprocating motion to the feed-bar O, to form the over-edge stitches, in a direction transverse to that in which the feed-bar is moved to and fro in or on its guide-plate D; and the plate G is connected by a self-adjusting stud, c, with a lever, H, which is pivoted at d to the plate A, and is adjustably connected by a link, H, with a lever, H that is pivoted at d to the base-plate, and has a cam-follower, c, which is formed to engage with a suitable driving-cam on the sewing-machine, so thatjust after one withdrawal of the needle of the. machine from its work-plate the feed-bar G will be moved forward a certain limited distance before the needle shall again enter the work-plate, and will be moved backward the same-distance just after the next withdrawal of the needle from the work-plate, and so on repeatedly, all substantially the same as in the attachment described in the aforesaid patent. The guideplate D is supported by ways 6 c on the transversely-reciprocatin g plate G, and is also con-' nectcd with the latter by a lever I, Fig. 7, engaging with a cam,J, fast on the crank-wheel F, which is carried by the plate G,wherebythe plateD and feed-bar G, with its feed-foot B,in addition to being reciprocated transversely with the plate G to form the over-edge stitches, are, at the ends of the to-and-fro movements of the feed-bar, also moved in the same direction with but separately from the plate G, to thereby present the unstitched side of the button-hole to the needle, as described in the aforesaid patent. This device also embodies additional features, whereby the attachment is made capable of automatically presenting for stitching an edge having a varying course and a button-hole having an eyelet-shaped end.

Kis a second wheel,engaging with the crankwheel F by gear-teeth f g, the wheels being proportioned so that the wheel K mustrevolve just twice to the crank-\vheels once; and L is a rotary driver the axis of which is set eccentric to the axis of the wheel K, and said driver L is engaged with the wheel K by a self-adjusting crank-connection, M N, all arranged so that thereby the feed-bar G will be moved by the crank-wheel F and pitman E to and fro,

once each way, by steps of nearly equal lengths in all parts ofthe movements, by merely twice revolving the driver L by steps of equal lengths.

In carrying out our invention the rotary driver L can be in theform of a rotary ratchet wheel or shaft, as above stated,or any suitable known equivalent therefor. In constructing the attachment represented in the accompanying drawings we commonly have the driver L in the form of a crank-holding disk or wheel mounted to turn on a stud, substantially as shown in Figs. 4 and 9.

InFigs. 1, 2, and 9 the crank-pin M is fast to the driving-wheel L, and has a follower, h, tilting in the radially-slotted guide N, which is fast on the Wheel K; and in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 the crank-pin M is pivoted in the drivingwheel L, and has a slot, h, in which fits the guide N, that is fastened radially to the wheel K. The gear-wheel F hasjust twice as many teeth as the gear-wheel K, and those gears are so engaged with each other that whenever the pitman E is in line with both the crank-pin a and the axis of the wheel F, at which times the turning of the wheel F through a certain arc gives the least movement to the feed-bar G, the crank-pin M on the driving-wheel Lis then nearest to the axis of the wheel K, so that the then turning of the wheel L through a certain arc gives the greatest length of rotary movement to the wheel K, and thereby to the crank-wheel F, and the driving-wheel L being arranged properly eccentric to the wheel K, as indicated in the drawings, the revolutions of the wheel L by steps of equal lengths will cause the feedbar 0 to be moved to and fro by steps of sufficiently uniform lengths to properly space the stitches from end to end of a button-hole.

With the above-described combination of the feed-bar O, pitman E, crank-wheel F, second wheel, K, geared to the crank-wheel to revolve twice to the latters once, and wheel L, eccentric to the wheel K and engaged therewith by a self-shiftin g crank-connection, we have the reciprocating plate G constitute a part of the driving mechanism, and have that plate sup port the wheels F, K, and L, feed-bar O, and feed-bar guide D, and connect the plate G with the feed-bar through that guide, and combine with the part G the levers H H and link H, for giving reciprocating motion thereto from a sewing-machine, and devices for imparting from the plate G step-by-step rotary motion to 'the wheel L.

For imparting from the reciprocating plate G step-by-step rotary motion to the wheel L when mounted on that plate we furnish that wheel with ratchet-teeth i and a concentrically pivoted lever, 0, carrying a drivingpawl, j, ongaged with the ratchet-wheel, and having the toothed are 70 engaged with the toothed arc l on the lever P, that is pivoted at l to the plate G, and is connected with the bed-plateA by a fulcrum-arm, Q, which is adjustable in guides m m by-a screw, R, on the bed-plate. By this adjustabiiity of the arm Q various lengths of uniformstep-by-step movements can be given from the plate G to the wheel L, to make the steps in the movements of the feed-bar of proper length to space the stitches, whatever shall be the length of the reciprocating movement 4 of the plate G, and of the to-and-t'ro movement imparted by the pitman E to the feed-bar from the crank-wheel.

The lever I, Figs. 7, S, 9, and 10, engages by its follower n with the cam J on the crank wheel F, and is pivoted by a stud, 0, on a bracket, 0, that is part of or is fastened by a screw, 0 to the guidepla-te D, and the lever I has a longitudinal slot, 12, in which [its a fulcrum-stuthp, that is fastened to the bar S, that is adjustablelengthwise in ways 29 19 by a screw, S, on the plate G, to alter the length of the movements imparted by the cam J, through the lever I, to the plate D, in respect to the plate G,much the same as in the attachment described in the aforesaid patent.

In case the button-holes to be worked shall have the two side edges straight and parallel throughout, thecam J and leverlean be shaped and engaged like the equivalent parts shown and described in theaforesaid patent, and we make the cam J of such shape that it will by the lever I give such lateral movements to the guide-plate D as to vary and change the course of the movements of the feed-bar, and thereby alter the course of the rows of stitches, as shall be required by the shape of the edges to be stitched. In Fig. 7 the cam J is shown shaped so that a hut-ton'hole having the course of its side edges in various directions, with an eye let-shaped portion at one end part, will be so presented by the feed-foot B of the feed-bar to the needle of the sewing-machine that the edges of such button-holes having an eyeletshaped end portion will be automatically bound all around by a row of stitches, t, substantially as indicated in Fig.6. For feeding buttonholes having side edges of. "arious shapes, or eyelet-shaped ends ot'dift'erent sizesand forms, the cam J is to be made of corresponding different shapes in the proper parts of its circuit as shall be necessary in each case.

'In Figs. 1, 12, and 13 a part of the feed'bar O is shownextended with an opening therein,

through which the depressed footB extends,

and freely presses and holds the button-hole work W-against and slides it to and fro upon the usual work-supporting plate, Z, ofa sewingmachine, as indicated in Figs. 12 and 13. This extension of the feed-bar around the foot B commonly helps that foot in properly holding and feeding soft thick fabrics, but is not. generally used when stitching button holes in' leather and stiff fabrics. This extension ofthe feed-bar around the font B is not essential to any part of our presentinvention, and we generally make that extension in a separate piece from the part of the feed-bar upon which the part B is mounted, as indicated in Figs. 10 and 12, and detachably secured thereto by screws, so that said extension-piece can be readily removed.

The foot E is mounted upon one end of a leaf-spring, T, which is fastened at its other end to an arm, U, thatis hinged at q to a raised part, q, of the feed-bar O; and V is a cam journaled upon a stud, (1 that is fast on or a part of the feed-bar, and extends through and above a perforation through the arm U, so that by turning down the cam V, as represented in Figs. 12 and 13, that cam will then bear upon and force down the rigid arm U, and thereby, through the spring T, press thefnot B with an elastic pressure upon the button-hole work W on the work-supporting plateZ of the sewingmachine, as indicated in full lines in Figs. 12 and 13, and so that the elasticity of the spring T is not counteracted nor constrained by the rigid bearing down of the cam V upon. the arm U, but is all exerted in pressing the feed-foot B with a yielding force upon the work on the work-plateofthemachine. Aspring.U, serves to elevatethe arm U when the cam V is turned up, as in Fig. 10.

In order to provide convenient means where' by the foot B can be pressed down on the work upon the work-plate with various degrees of elastic pressure when the cam V is turned down upon the hinged arm U, as in Fig.13,

we mount the cam V on a journal, X, Figs. 1,

10, 15, and 16, having a stem, 1", eccentric to the journal and fitting in a socket in the stud q", and secured therein by a setscrew, r, so that upon loosening that set-screw thejournal X can be turned with and eccentrically to the stem r, and fastened by the screw 1" with the journal at various different heights above the feed-bar, and so that when theoam V is turned down against the hinged arm U the latter will be depressed more or less, according to the adjusted height of the. journal X, as shall be necessary or desirable to make the spring T give the properstrength, of yielding pressure to the foot B upon work of various kinds or thicknesses.

Bypressing down the hingedarm U more or less thespring Twill be more or less bent, as indicated in Fig. 12, so as to thereby tend to correspondingly tilt up one side edgeor the other of the foot- B on the work W sliding on the sewing-machine plate, so that the foot w ll not pressevenly upon the'workalong both side edges of the button-hole. To overcome that difficulty we secure and pivot thefoot B atits ends by longitudinal pivots s s to the arms of a piece, Y, which is secured preferably by a transverse pivot-joint, s, to an end piece, 3 on the spring T, so that the foot B will bear and press evenly upon the work on the sewing-machine plate along both sides of the button-hole, however much or little the spring T shall be bent or inclined by the different degrees of depression of thehinged arm U, which supports that spring on the feed-bar.

What we claim as ourjoint invention is- 1. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination, with the crankwheel F, of a second wheel, K, proportioned and geared with the crank-wheel to revolve just twice to the crank-wheels once, a rotary driver, L, having its axis eccentric to the axis of said second wheel, the self-adjusting crankconnection engaging said second wheel with said driver, and means for revolving said driver, all substantially as set forth.

2. Thecombination,withthe crank-wheel F, second Wheel, K, proportioned and geared with the crank-wheel to revolve twice to the crankwheels once, rotary driver L, eccentric to said second wheel, and self-adjusting crank-connection en gaging said second wheel with the driver, substantially as described, of the ratchet i, driving-pawl j, and means for operating said driving-pawl, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the feed -bar 0, crank-wheel F, and means for imparting toand-fro movements to the feed-bar from the crank-wheel, substantially as set forth, of the second wheel proportioned and geared with the crank-wheel to revolve twice to the crankwheels once, rotary driver eccentric to said second Wheel, self-adjusting crai'ik-connection engaging said second wheel with said driver, and means for rotating the latter, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the feed-bar O, crank-wheel F, and means for imparting toand-fro movements to the feed-bar from the crank-wheel, substantially as set forth, of the second wheel, K, proportioned and geared With the crank-wheel to revolve twice to the crankwheels once, rotary driver eccentric to said second wheel, self-adjusting crank-connection engaging said driver with said second Wheel, ratchet i, pawlj, and means for actuating the latter, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the feed-bar G, crank-wheel .F, and means for imparting toand-fro movements to the feed-bar from the crank-wheel, substantially as described, of the ments to the feed-bar to form over-edge stitches,

all substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with the feed-bar O, crank-wheel F, and means for imparting toand-fro movements to the feed-bar from the crank-wheel, substantially as specified, of the second wheel, K, proportioned and geared with the crank-wl'ieel to revolve twice to the latters once, rotary driver L, eccentric to said second wheel, self adjusting crank-connection engaging said second wheel with said driver, plate G, means for operating. the latter, and means for imparting step-bystep rotary motion to the driver L from the plate G, all substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the bed-plate A, plate G, means for operating the latter, and rotary driver L, of the ratchet i, lever O, having the pawlj and toothed are k, lever P, having the toothed are l, and the fulcrum-arm Q, mounted 'on said bed-plate, all substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the feed-bar O, crank-wheel F, and devices for imparting from said crank-wheel to the feed-bar to-and-fro movements to feed a button-hole lengthwise and movements transverse thereto to change the stitching from one side of the button-hole to the other, substantially as described, of the wheel K, proportioned and geared with said crank-wheel to rcvolve'twice to thelatters once, rotary driver eccentric to the wheel K, self-adjusting crank-connection engaging said driver with the latter wheel, and means for rotating said driver, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with the feed-bar 0, having standards qq and arm U, hinged to tie standard q and carrying the feed-foot, of the depressing-cam V, cam-supporting pivot X, stem 1", fast on and eccentric to said pivot, and fitting and adapted to be turned in a socket in the standard g and a screw, 4, by which the stem 1" can be fastened with the pivot X at various heights in respect to said socket, all substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with the feed-bar C, having a standard, 9, arm U, hinged to that standard, and means for depressing said arm various degrees, substantially as described, of the part 8, spring T, fast at one end to said arm and at the other end to the part 8 forked piece Y, united to the part 8 by pivotjoint s, and foot B, secured at its ends by pivots as to the arms of said forked piece, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE M. MORRIS. JOSEPH P. HALLENBEOK.

Witnesses as to George M. Morris:

tIcHARD A. HECKER, ANDREW WALLACE Ross.

Witnesses as to Joseph I. Hallenbeck:

SAML. J. CHAPMAN, JOHN SHAW. 

